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Hi there,

I have cruised before but this is my first RL cruise. My family and I are on Mariner of the Seas next month going to the Bahamas. We are a group of 8 and I have a few questions.

CocoCay- do we have to pay for entrance into CocoCay? What are the most popular things to do? Is there an area that is free?

Bahamas- we would like to rent a driver to take us around the island and to a nice beach. What's the best way to go about that? I think Atlantis is too expensive for us and so are the all inclusive  day pass resorts. 

Drink package- if we don't purchase a beverage package, what is included in the cruise? just water?

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16 minutes ago, skittlesj20 said:

CocoCay- do we have to pay for entrance into CocoCay?

No, you only have to pay an admission fee if you want to go to the water park (Thrill Waterpark)

The rest of the island is complimentary

 

17 minutes ago, skittlesj20 said:

Drink package- if we don't purchase a beverage package, what is included in the cruise? just water?

Here's all the beverages included with your cruise fare: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/08/11/first-time-cruisers-what-drinks-are-included-your-royal-caribbean-cruise

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I can really only answer your last question, because dh and I have only been on one Royal cruise ( so far. ) 

In the Windjammer ( where we ate many breakfast and lunch meals ) I recall: 

hot tea ( bags)

coffee

iced water

iced tea ( tasted like raspberry tea to me, we both really enjoyed it )

one other choice of punch ( never tried it, and flavors seemed to vary )

milk ( in small cartons, both white and chocolate )

orange and maybe other juices at breakfast 

 

I believe that iced tea and coffee were also free in the main dining room. Orange juice was also free there at breakfast. Our ship (Liberty OTS) had a Cafe Promenade on the 5th deck - I would often go there for my free hot tea fix. I know that they also offered free coffee and there were packets of hot chocolate available, too. 

That’s all I recall. We had pre-purchased soda packages beforehand, and we used them. On our next cruise, dh, due to being a Prime member in their Casino Royale casino rewards program, will be able to get free drinks at the casino bar. I will likely forego the soda package because I really prefer Diet Pepsi and found out that we can bring up to 12 bottles or cans ( up to 17 oz.) with us on the ship. So, I think we will be okay, as long as Royal keeps providing its tasty iced and hot tea! 

 

 

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I believe that iced tea and coffee were also free in the main dining room. Orange juice was also free there at breakfast. Our ship (Liberty OTS) had a Cafe Promenade on the 5th deck - I would often go there for my free hot tea fix. I know that they also offered free coffee and there were packets of hot chocolate available, too. 
 

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33 minutes ago, skittlesj20 said:

Bahamas- we would like to rent a driver to take us around the island and to a nice beach. What's the best way to go about that? I think Atlantis is too expensive for us and so are the all inclusive  day pass resorts. 

There will be drivers lined up immediately outside the port that you can hire.  There should be people trying to sell tours and such right there that you can look into.  Otherwise there are local beaches that you can have the driver take you to. Cabbage Beach and Cable Beach are the shortest taxi rides (cheapest fare) from the port.

Alternatively if you want to walk it there's Junkanoo beach which is walkable from the port.

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1 hour ago, skittlesj20 said:

Hi there,

I have cruised before but this is my first RL cruise. My family and I are on Mariner of the Seas next month going to the Bahamas. We are a group of 8 and I have a few questions.

CocoCay- do we have to pay for entrance into CocoCay? What are the most popular things to do? Is there an area that is free?

Bahamas- we would like to rent a driver to take us around the island and to a nice beach. What's the best way to go about that? I think Atlantis is too expensive for us and so are the all inclusive  day pass resorts. 

Drink package- if we don't purchase a beverage package, what is included in the cruise? just water?

Welcome to the boards. 

Coco Cay is free to enjoy the beaches, the pool, chairs and umbrellas, etc. Food at the main buffet and snack shacks are included. There are some activities you can choose to use that are for a fee; waterpark access, hot air balloon, zip line, etc. 

Bahamas... have been quite a few times and its not worth it to us to even get off the boat any more. Consider staying on board and enjoying the boat while it is almost empty. 

Drinks included are water, some fruit flavored waters, tea, lemonade, hot coffee. 

 

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9 hours ago, skittlesj20 said:

 

 

CocoCay- do we have to pay for entrance into CocoCay? What are the most popular things to do? Is there an area that is free?

 

To add to what others have said, if you like to snorkel, you can do that for free off the beach if you bring equipment.  Or you can rent everything using the "at your leisure" snorkeling option in cruise planner.  I have found that a lot of fun!  To get the best spots with free umbrella and lounges, try to get off the ship early after the excursion people have left.  Have a great cruise!

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